This week, Nintendo reveals two WiiWare and two DSiWare titles along with one Virtual Console game as part of the Nintendo Download. Arkanoid Plus! and DRiiFT Mania make it to WiiWare, while Art Academy: Second Semester and Dragon Quest Wars are available as DSiWare. In addition, Altered Beast finds itself on the VC.
Arkanoid Plus! is the WiiWare game from Taito for one to two players, and is an updated version of the original arcade title. Using a spaceship called a Vaus, players must destroy coloured balls appearing on the screen. The WiiWare game has an array of new modes and features. The Arcade Mode features 61 rounds with two types of boss characters in the last round, while in the VS Mode players can take on a friend or the computer. The Time Mode challenges players to complete rounds within a strict time limit. Arkanoid Plus! is available for 600 Wii Points.
DRiiFT Mania is the second WiiWare offering this week, and it delivers a top-down multiplayer experience. The game features exciting races, multiplayer capabilities and some crazy game modes. DRiiFT Mania is from Konami Digital Entertainment and can be played by up to eight players. The game is available for 800 Wii Points.
Two weeks ago Nintendo released Art Academy: First Semester for the DSi, and now the first DSiWare offering is Art Academy: Second Semester, a game which offers a portable art course. The game provides a larger set of tools and in-depth lessons aimed at encouraging more complex artwork. The game even features a Free Paint mode to improve skills and boost confidence. Art Academy: Second Semester is for one player, and can be purchased by redeeming 800 Nintendo DSi Points.
Dragon Quest Wars is the second DSiWare title and is a grid-based strategy game which features all the favourite quirky Dragon Quest monsters. Several game modes are available for players to choose from, and players can play alone, or against friends using the DS Wireless Play or via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Dragon Quest Wars is for one to four players and can be purchased for 500 Nintendo DSi Points.
Hitting the VC this week is Altered Beast, a title originally released by Sega. In the game, players rise from the grave as they are brought back to life by Greek God Zeus. They must carry out a mission to rescue his daughter from the God of the Underworld, Neff. The game is packed with strange creatures that players must defeat, in order to bring to and end the schemes of Neff. Altered Beast is for one or two players and is available for 1000 Wii Points.